China’s GAC shares its European plans

GAC made its Paris Motor Show debut back in 2018, stepping into the spotlight at the Expo Porte de Versailles with years of Chinese domestic market car sales in its back pocket. And impress it did. Fast forward six years, and this Chinese automotive brand has shot up the ranks to become one of the top three global brands in electric vehicle sales. Now, GAC has returned to Paris and has European plans.

Last year, GAC sold a whopping 2.5 million vehicles, becoming the fastest-growing electric brand to hit the one-million-unit milestone in both production and sales. But it’s not just a car company. Oh no, GAC is so much more. It’s a tech innovator that delivers full-stack solutions, like its cutting-edge Quark electric drive, solid-state batteries, ultra-fast charging stations, and even a super-efficient, eco-friendly ‘Lighthouse Factory’.  GAC isn’t messing around.

Now, it’s eyeing Europe with the aim of delivering something fresh – an automotive and lifestyle experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.

“To better meet the needs of European customers, we have conducted extensive market research, built technical reserves, formed partnerships, and developed a local talent team, laying a solid foundation for our formal market entry,” Mr. Wei Haigang, President of GAC International, said at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

“And now, with our strategic planning in place, we’re back in Paris to make it official. We’ll be hitting the European market this year, bringing a high-quality, high-tech driving experience that’s already been tried and tested in other regions.”

As you’ll see in the video above, GAC isn’t here for a quick fling; it's in for the long haul, tailoring its approach to suit European tastes. So, what’s in GAC’s Paris lineup? Say hello to the AION V and HYPTEC HT.

First up, the AION V – a quirky, all-electric mid-sized SUV with serious character. If you’re all about standing out, this one’s for you. With a 466-mile range and AION’s pioneering 400V+3C fast-charging technology, you can get 230 miles of range with just a 15-minute charge. Plus, while you wait, you can enjoy something from the onboard mini-fridge while you indulge in the fabulous high-definition touchscreen and wirelessly charge your phone.

Fancy something a bit more high-end? The HYPTEC HT is where style meets luxury. GAC’s posh all-electric SUV merges sleek Western minimalism with Eastern design flair. Inside, you’ll find NAPA leather seats and a Dolby sound system to set the mood. It’s quick too – 0 to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds – and comes with GAC's L2 intelligent driving assistance and cartridge battery tech to make the journey as safe as it is swift.

If you really want something spicy, GAC also offers an all-electric, carbon-fibre-clad supercar: the HYPTEC SSR. It comes with numbers to scramble your brain: 0 to 62 mph in 1.9 seconds, a peak wheel torque of 8,850 lb ft, and 1,225 bhp. Throw in 900v silicon carbide charging that takes it to 80% in just 22 minutes, and you’ve got a supercar that’s as futuristic as it is fast. Sadly, it's not available in Europe... yet. “We’re watching the market closely and will launch the SSR when the time’s right,” teased Mr. Wei Haigang.

At the Paris Motor Show, GAC also revealed some details about its "1551 Internationalisation Strategy," pinpointing Europe as a key territory in its global expansion.

“Our vision is clear: ‘Integrating into Europe, Contributing to Europe.’ We are committed to setting up a well-established system to address customer service and parts needs.” said Mr. Wei. Part of this means beefing up the charging infrastructure, something GAC has already nailed in China.

As of August this year, GAC has successfully constructed 1,066 supercharging stations and 7,576 charging piles across 31 provinces and 202 cities in China. This not only provides convenient charging services for consumers but also allows GAC to accumulate extensive experience in the construction and operation of charging networks.

GAC’s got the know-how, and it’s ready to to demonstrate its capabilities. So, keep an eye out, as it’s where craft meets technology.